National Competition in Service Playing

Jan. 6-8, 2022 for organists under 30
Sponsored by the DC Chapter of AGO, Schoenstein and Co. Organ Builders, and St. Paul’s K Street, Washington, DC

The application deadline was Nov. 15.
The four finalists will be notified of their qualification by Dec. 1.

Final Live Competition Jan. 6-8, at St. Paul's K Street:
Finalists arrive Jan. 6 or 7 to work on the organ for three hours each.
Friday 6-10 pm: Finalists rehearse with a local choir in 45-minute increments.
Saturday 10-noon: Public lecture-workshop by Professor Thomas Murray on accompanying Benjamin Britten’s “Rejoice in the Lamb.” 
 Lunch on your own.
 1-3:30 pm: Finalists perform publicly with a local choir conducted by Dr. Jeffrey Smith
Jury deliberation and announcement of winner
6 pm: Dinner with judges, finalists and committee

Repertoire for live Final Round
1.  Vocal solo. Choose one from
   a. Ex ore innocentium  by John Ireland
   b. Clouds and darkness or He delivered the poor (from Hear my Words) by C.H.H.Parry 
   c. Easter (from Five Mystical Songs by Ralph Vaughan Williams

2. Psalm setting. Choose one from
   a.  Anglican Chant of at least 6 vv
    b.  Responsorial Psalm of at least 4 vv
     c.  Gregorian Introit Antiphon including verse and Gloria

3. German choral or Genevan psalm tune of candidates’ choice
    
4. Hymn composed after 1830 of candidates’ choice
(Items 3 and 4 should include at least three stanzas, with introduction, interlude and free harmonization, as if accompanying an enthusiastic congregation of some 200.)

5. One of the following:
   a. Magnificat and Nunc dimittis in A by C.V. Stanford
   b. Give unto the Lord by Edward Elgar
   c. Sanctus and Agnus Dei from Gabriel Faure’s Requiem
   d. Te Deum from Collegium Regale by Herbert Howells

Panel of Judges  
Professor Thomas Murray
Dr. John Walker
National Cathedral Canon Michael McCarthy

Prizes
$5,000 1st Prize provided by Schoenstein & Co.
$2,500 2nd Prize provided by Schoenstein & Co.
Housing for finalists will be provided for three nights.

Organ Events 

Friday, Dec. 3, 12:15 pm: Organist Zacchaeus Lock (Danbury, Connecticut) will perform two movements from Gustav Holst’s celebrated suite, The Planets (transcribed for organ),
and the Variations sur un Noël by Marcel Dupré. National City Christian Church, 5 Thomas Circle NW.
Tuesday, Dec. 7, 12:10 pm: The Washington Bach Consort performs the cantata Wer sich selbst erhöhet, der soll eniedriget werden. Organist John Nothaft performs an organ prelude of  Nun komm der Heiden Heiland and Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme by Bach. Church of the Epiphany, 1317 G St. NW.
Sunday, Dec. 5, 5 pm: Lessons and Carols at Christ Church Episcopal, 118 N. Washington St., Alexandria.


Friday, Dec. 10, 12:15 pm: Organist Derrick Ian Meador (Shreveport, Louisiana) will perform a program of music for Advent and Christmas, including works by William Mathias, Denis Bédard, J. S. Bach, Felix Mendelssohn, Buck McDaniel, and Gilbert M. Martin. National City Christian Church, 5 Thomas Circle NW.

Sunday, Dec. 12, 4 pm: Kimberly Hess, ceremonial organist at Arlington National Cemetery, plays a recital at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land, 1400 Quincy St. NE.

Tuesday, Dec. 14, 12:10 pm: The Epiphany Choir performs Lessons and Carols with a brass ensemble. Church of the Epiphany, 1317 G St. NW.

Friday, Dec. 17, 12:15 pm: Kimberly Ann Hess, Ceremonial Organist of Arlington National Cemetery, will perform a program of organ music for Christmas, including works of J. S. Bach, Marcel Dupré, Pietro Yon, Grimoaldo Macchia, Richard Purvis, and Eugène Gigout. National City Christian Church, 5 Thomas Circle NW.

Friday, Dec. 31, 6 pm - 7:15 pm: New Year’s Eve Benefit Concert – Bach to Modern.  Works by Bach, Chopin, Barber, American Songbook, and a world premiere of Night Songs II by Justus Parrotta.  Performers include Rosa Lamoreaux, soprano; Karl Robson, organ; Grace McFarlane, piano; Jon Nazdin, bass; and Michael Bard, guitar.  Free will donation benefits Housing Up.  Proof of vaccination and masks required.   Concert will also be live-streamed www.columba.org St. Columba’s Episcopal Church 4201 Albemarle Street, NW, DC.  
 
Sunday, Jan. 9, 4 pm: Andrew Johnson, a graduate student at the Peabody Conservatory, plays a recital at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land, 1400 Quincy St. NE.
 
Sunday, Jan. 30, 7 pm: Dedicatory organ recital played by Nathan Laube at Christ Church Episcopal, 118 N. Washington St., Alexandria.
 
Sunday, Feb. 6, 5 pm: Choral Evensong with prelude recital by Bryan Holten, Christ Church Episcopal, 118 N. Washington St., Alexandria.

Friday, Feb. 11, 8 pm: Kola Owolabi dedicates the new Martin Pasi’s Op. 28 organ at St. George’s Episcopal Church, Arlington.  www.saintgeorgesmusic.org

Sunday, Feb. 13, 4 pm: Apex Brass of Washington, DC, plays a recital at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land, 1400 Quincy St. NE.
 
Sunday, March 6, 5 pm: Choral Evensong with prelude recital by Samantha Scheff. Christ Church, 118 N. Washington St., Alexandria.

Sunday, March 13, 4 pm: David Houston, dean of the DC AGO chapter and director of music at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, College Park, plays a recital at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land, 1400 Quincy St. NE.

Sunday, April 3, 5 pm: Choral Evensong with prelude recital by Janet Yieh at Christ Church Episcopal, 118 N. Washington St., Alexandria.

Sunday, April 10, 4 pm: Iris Lan of Washington, DC, plays a recital at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land, 1400 Quincy St. NE.
 
Sunday, May 1, 5 pm: Hymn Festival with Michael Smith and Patrick Scott at Christ Church, 118 N. Washington St., Alexandria.

Sunday, May 8, 5 pm: Chuyoung Suter, organist at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Gaithersburg, plays a recital at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land, 1400 Quincy St. NE.